GO! Patriotic: San Diego salutes its military with Fleet Week events

SAN DIEGO ---- The free events marking the 10th annual Fleet Week San Diego return this week. As always, the schedule for the massive military salute actually stretches for six weeks this fall.

Created in 2001 to honor the county's long military history and the great contributions the military makes to the local economy, Fleet Week festivities range from air and ship shows to sporting events, family festivals and private events for enlisted military. Fleet Week kicked off Saturday with the Fleet Week Football Classic between the San Diego State Aztecs and the U.S. Army's Black Knights at Qualcomm Stadium, and it concludes in mid-October with the Miramar Air Show.

Here's a rundown of events:

Fleet Week Enlisted Recognition Luncheon
: From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 11, SeaWorld San Diego hosts an invitation-only lunch for 200 military enlisted guests who have distinguished themselves in their branch of the service and within their various commands.

Fleet Week All Enlisted Golf Tournament
: From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 13, the eighth annual golf tournament will feature six four-member golf teams from the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps competing for an inter-service trophy. There will also be a scramble tournament with up to 45 teams from all service levels. Events take place on the north and south courses at Admiral Baker Field in San Diego. Spectator admission is free. Enlisted tournament fee is $5.

Fleet Week Sea Festival:
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 15 and 16, the 32nd Street Naval Base in San Diego will host this free family-friendly festival where the public is invited to climb aboard a number of U.S. Navy ships and explore other military static displays, chat with sailors, marines and guardsmen. There will be welcoming ceremonies, in-water demonstrations, performances by military bands, food and entertainment, exhibitor booths and more; 619-858-1545.

Fleet Week Foundation Breakfast
: From 7:30 to 9 a.m. Sept. 19, leaders from the San Diego community can break bread with members of San Diego's military leadership in this annual breakfast at the Admiral Kidd Club in Point Loma. Cost is $35 to the public, $15 for enlisted military; sdmac.org or 619-858-1545.

Coronado Village Car Procession:
On the afternoon of Sept. 20, classic cars of all makes will parade from North Island Naval Air Station down Orange Avenue to Rotary Plaza in downtown Coronado, where they'll be displayed for the public all evening. The event is a prelude to the Coronado Speed Festival Sept. 22-23.

Coronado Speed Festival
: From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 22 and 23, classic sports cars will race on the tarmac at North Island Naval Air Station in Coronado. The 15th annual "Race to the Base" will feature contests for sports and racing cars from the 1950s-'60s, production cars from the late '50s and early '60s, vintage NASCAR racers from 1972 and beyond, and Trans-Ams from 1966-1972. There will also be a military pit crew challenge, car show, garage tours, test drives, vendor village and more. Advance tickets are $25 for adults ($35 for weekend pass) and free for active-duty military and their dependents, as welll as children 12 and under. Tickets are $10 more at the box office. Details and tickets online at fleetweeksandiego.org/tickets.html .